Method and means for strand filament dispersal

ABSTRACT

A method and means for the production of fibrous strand mats by collecting multi-filament strands in mat-like form, flooding the mat with a liquid to overcome forces holding filaments together in a strand, retaining the mat in the flooded condition for a predetermined interval, and removing excess liquid from the collection after the filaments are dispersed.

United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,760,458 Pitt 1451 Sept. 25, 1973 METHODAND MEANS FOR STRAND [56] References Cited FILAMENT DISPERSAL UNITEDSTATES PATENTS [7 Inventorr Richard E- Pitt, ark Ohio 3,060,50l 10/1962Beal l8/8 3 376 609 4/1968 Kalwaites..... [73] Assignee: Owens-CorningFlberglas Corporation, Toledo Ohio 3,393,985 7/1968 Langlms et al. 65/9Filedl 1971 Primary ExaminerDorsey Newton NOIZ Attorney-Myron E. RelatedUS. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 869,951, Oct. 27,1969, [57] ABSTRACT abandoned, which is a continuation ofSer. No. Amethod and means for the production of fibrous March abflndonedstrandmats by collecting multi-filament strands in matlike form, flooding themat with a liquid to overcome [52] US. Cl. 19/66 T, 19/155 forcesholding filaments together in a strand, retaining [51] Int. Cl Bold11/02 the mat in the floodedcondition for a predetermined Field ofSearch 1 interval, and removing excess liquid from the collection afterthe filaments are dispersed.

13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 METHOD AND MEANS FOR STRAND FILAMENTDISPERSAL This is a continuation of my co-pending application Ser. No.869,951, filed Oct. 27, 1969 now abandoned, which was a continuation ofmy then co-pending application Ser. No. 531,992, filed Mar. 4, 1966, andnow abandoned.

Because of the increased general use of fibrous glass mat products, needhas arisen for more exacting characteristics and properties for specificapplications. Fibrous glass mats have been put to use for such purposesas acoustical, electrical, and thermal insulation as well as forreinforcing and filtering purposes, each such application requiringcertain characteristics of strenghth,

porosity and integrity.

One method by which glas fibers for mats can be produced is tomechanically attenuate a plurality of glass streams flowing from afeeder or bushing. Attenuation of the streams may be effected by pullingrolls or wheels which draw the streams into fine fibers or filaments asthey solidify by reason of exposure to the atmosphere. The solidifiedfilaments are drawn over a size applicator and are then gathered intostrand form whereupon the pulling wheels supply the strand for thepurpose desired.

Another method of manufacturing glass fibers involves flowing the glassfrom feeders as described above and directing a jet of gas thereagainstat high speed to attenuate the streams into fine fibers by disruptingthem into varied lengths which collect as a pulpy mass. I

Sheet and mat products have been manufactured in the past of both typesof glass fibers but strand mats have presented a greater difficulty inmanufacture because of their limited ability to form an integral mass.More specifically, the strand has little tendency to interminglewithitself so as to promote formation of an integral mass such as in amat product. Heretofore, it has been necessary to add agents such asextra quantities of binder material or additional glass fibers ofshorter length in order to promote mat integrity. These additions,however, involved additional process steps and correspondinglyadded'quipment complexity and cost.

In an effort to form a more integral mass, glass fiber strands have beenimpinged or bounced off a deflecting surface to provide a fluffy orfuzzy property. That is, an integral glass strand is moved at arelatively high speed and directed against a hard surface so that itimpinges such surface with a driving force, the product produced being astrand of fuzzy or fluffed character which tends to take on a curlresulting in a generally helical form or swirl. The greater the speed ofimpingement, the greater the fuzziness created. The fuzziness resultsfrom filaments within the strand being dispersed or separated from themain core along at least a portion of their lengths while the remainderare retained in integrated form. While this method did give a betterdegree of fine porosity desired for use in acousticaLelectrical andthermal insulation, the abrading or mechanical handling of the glassstrand when deflecting the strand from a surface at a high speed isundesirable since it tends to reduce the mechanical strength of thestrand or the filaments. Further, this method makes it difficult touniformly deposit the strand and filaments with great accuracy over apredetermined area. Uniformity of deposition of strands upon acollecting surface is a problem which also effects integrity of the mat.

in addition to the problem of integrity, other difficulties areexperienced with strands in that of themselves they lack the ability togive the degree of fine porosity desired for uses such as acoustical,electrical and thermal insulation. That is, continuous strands bythemselves usually fail to provide the multitude of small intersticesdesired in such insulation materials. Further, in fine mat or thin matapplications where the mat i used as a reinforcing material for suchproducts as roofing materials made from mats impregnated with as phalt,etc., the small interstices are necessary to hold the molten or plasticfiller or impregnator and keep it from running on through the mat whenthe mat is being combined with the filler to make the final product.Also, in this regard, mats made in the past wholly of strand, because oftheir unusually large interstices, are somewhat rough and fail toprovide the fine finish and appearance desired when the glass mats areput to use as reinforcement material in resin laminate structures,particularly when the laminate includes semitransparent portions.

It is particularly desirable to incorporate continuous glass strands inmat products, however, because the mechanically attenuated fibers ofwhich such strands are composed have much greater strength than theblown fibers. Such additional strength incorporated into fibrous matslends greatly to permitting their use in many installations in whichthey could not otherwise be used. Both burst and tear strengths of suchmats can be made extremely high by reason of the high strength of thefibers or filaments embodied in the strands.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a novel and economical method and means for manufacture of glassstrand mats having a high degree of integrity and strength.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new type of glassstrand mat having a high degree of integrity and strength and acontrollable degree of porosity.

A further object of the invention is to provide an efficient method andmeans for dispensing filaments from a strand bundle to promote integrityin accumulations of the strand bundles.

Still another object of this invention is to produce a novel strandproduct capable of providing a large number of interstices and a finefinish in accumulations thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a more efficientmethod and means than existed heretofore for manufacturing mat productsof materials in strand or yarn form.

An additional object of this invention is to provide method and meansfor the dispersal of filaments after they are gathered in strand formfor the use in end products as desired.

It has been found that strands formed from a number of filaments in abundle may be reopened or have the filaments dispersed by theimpingement of a fluid stream upon the strand. While the fluid streammay be a gaseous fluid, it most advantageously is shown in most of thepreferred embodiments herein as a liquid fluid to accomplish thedispersal of the filaments as desired. There is shown, however, a methodand means for dispersing filaments of a strand by the use of gaseousstream impingement. There is also shown the method and means for thedispersal of strands by the use of liquid streams thereon. To obtain aneven greater dispersal, a liquid stream may be impinged upon strands andthe liquid retained around the strands in a flooded condition to providea soaking" or a weakening of bonding forces for a predeterminedinterval, after which interval a second impingement of a liquid streamupon the strands while still in a flooded condition will effect an evenfurther dispersal of the filaments from the strand.

The strength properties of the strand which have been dispersed orreopened in this manner are not affected, as compared to mechanicalimpingement of the strand on a hard deflecting surface. Better dispersalcan be obtained than by any other known method. The dispersed or fuzzedcharacteristic of the filaments provides an attribute which promotesmass integrity when the strand is in mat form. The dispersion offilaments promotes an intermingling and clinging of the strand portionswhich overlap and cross, or otherwise contact each other, so as toproduce a gathering of filaments and strand into a cohesive mass. Inaddition, the intermingling and clinging causes the formation of amultitude of very small interstices desired in many products and alsoprovides a fine outer finish which is often desired when such a productis used as reinforcement in resin laminate and other structures.

An important feature of this method of filament dispersion is that itdoes not disturb the distribution or uniformity of distribution or theoriginal orientation of the strand in its particular position in themat. The strand can be distributed quite accurately by newer methods anddispersion or reopening effected without disturbing the uniformity ofdistribution thus achieving the finest finish, the smallest intersticesand the best integrity of any mat product known to date. Thisparticularly important factor is necessary for the production of thevery thin or fine mats which are difiicult to regulate in uniformity ina unit area and in weight per unit area.

The invention thus features a method for dispersing filaments of astrand comprising the steps of impinging the strand with a liquid toovercome forces holding the filaments together in the strand andremoving the excess liquid after the filaments are dispersed. In apreferred embodiment of the invention, the method includes the steps offlooding the strand or the mat with the dispersing liquid. This floodingstep is advantageously accomplished by conveying the strand or matthrough a flooded area, which flooded area is provided by impinging themat from above with a liquid stream while retaining the liquid aroundthe mat as it moves forward. Advantageously, the flooded liquid areaaround the mat moves with the mat at substantially the same rate so thatthe orientation and uniformity of distribution of the strands is notdisrupted. Further dispersion may be obtained by adding an impulse ofliquid having a relatively different velocity than the mat and theaccompanying flooding stream to further disperse the filaments. Thisadditional impulse of liquid is advantageously provided after thestrands and mat have a predetermined interval of soaking or dispersal inthe and places or leaves the filaments in the desired position due tothe vertical flow at the holes and through the small interstices. Themethod may be further expanded to include impinging a filamentdispersing fluid stream against the strands as they are being depositedupon a collecting surface or the conveying surface in mat form. Thispre-impingement may be either a gaseous or liquid fluid. The method mayalso advantageously include a step of applying a lubricant to thefilaments when being formed into strands to provide interfiber mobilityto aid subsequent filament dispersion steps. In brief, the method ofdispersing the filaments of a strand comprises the steps of applying anonabrading force to the strand to weaken the bonding forces holding thefilaments in a strand configuration and removing the force afterpredetermined dispersal is obtained.

Novel apparatus for accomplishing the above inventive methods isdisclosed and described in detail for preferred embodiments herein.

Although the principles of the present invention are described asapplied in the use of glass strands, the invention is not limitedthereto in view of the fact that it has aspects readily applicable touse with strands, yarns and other forms of different materials. Forexample, the described method of effecting filament dispersion or strandreopening can be used for filament dispersion of yarns or slivers aswell, or may be used for strand reopening or filament dispersion ofstrands, yarns or slivers of materials such as cellulose acetate,artificial silk, cotton, wool and nylon.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will becomereadily apparent when the following description is taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of apparatus embodying a portion of theteachings of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation in section illustrating apparatus for furtherdispersing filaments of strands;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional side view of liquid distributionapparatus suitable for use in this invention; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the liquid distribution apparatusillustrated in FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2includes molten glasss feeding bushings 21 and 22 depending fromconventional glass melting tanks which are not illustrated. The conveyor61 includes the foraminous collecting surface elements constituting theweb of the conveyor, a conveyor drive rod or means for moving theelements 61a, a drive motor 610, and a sprocket-chain arrangementgenerally indicated at 61b connecting the motor 610 to drive roll 61a.Continuous filaments 23 are drawn from the minute streams of moltenglass issuing from orifices of the bushing. It will be considered that abushing with 400 orifices is here utilized and the filaments are drawnto an average diameter of fifty-five hundred thousandths of an inch.

Size or a lubricant may be applied to the filaments as the latter passover the traveling belts or aprons of the conventional size applicators25. The size may be merely water to reduce friction between thefilaments as they are subsequently joined in strand form. A more complexsize may be desired to promote inter-fiber mobility of the filamentswhen combined as strands in order to aid subsequent filament dispersionsteps.

The filaments from each bushing after receiving a sizing if des'ired,are grouped together to form a set or group of, in this instance, 14strands individually segregated asthey travel within 14 grooves over therespective gathering shoe 27 to the second gathering or aligning shoes31.

From the shoes 31 the two set of spaced strands 29 and 30 are led aroundthe two idler wheels 33 and, respectively, travel around the pull wheels35 and 36. The wheels are similarly constructed but are relativelyreversed in position and are on opposite sides of the center line of thereceiving conveyor 61. The wheels and the forming stations above themare meant to be representative of a number of forming stations asrequired to build the thickness or to provide the properties desired forthe mat being formed.

Motors 37 and 38, respectively, drive pull wheels 35 and 36. Thestrandscarried by pull wheel 35 are released therefrom by the successiveprojection of fingers of an oscillating spoke wheel through slots in theperipheral surface of the pull wheel 35. Similarly, fingers of anotherspoked wheel serve this purpose in connection with the pull wheel 36.The strands are kinetically projected in tangential paths from the pullwheel. That is, the rotation of the pull wheels 35, 36 at high speedsimparts a kinetic energy to each segment of the strand as it is pushedoff the wheel. Since the strand segments are all pushed off tangentiallyin the same direction in this apparatus, the strand segments and thusthe entire strand acquires a linear velocity which is utilized in somemethods of uniformly distributing the strands.

The rear side of each pull wheel is covered by an independently mounted,oscillatable back plate on which the associated spoked wheel iscarried.Back plate 42 of the assembly including pull wheel 36 may bearcuately oscillated through arm 43. The entire assembly may bepositioned on the platform 50 to support the pull wheels 35 and 36 andthe equipment associated therewith. Platform 50 may be suspended byangle iron hangers 51. The'arm 43 maybe arcuately turned to a positionto determine the tangential push-off of the strand from the pull wheel36. If, as in this instance, it is desired that the tangential push-offcauses thestrands to be carried perpendicularly downwardly with theirlinear velocity, then the arm 43 may be secured to hanger 51 by a link52 to retain the strand push-off at the position desired. The pullwheels just described are particularly suited for use in this inventionsince they allow the uniform distribution of a plurality of finerstrands, rather than a larger coarse strand. A finer strand lends itselfmore readily to reopening techniques described herein.

The group of strands 58 thrown down by the pull wheel 35, which has itspush-off point also anchored by a link 52 connected to hanger 51, andthe group of strands 59 thrown down by the pull wheel 36 areaccumulated, after distribution, in mat form 60 upon the collectingsurface, in this case traveling conveyor 61, which may be of aforaminous, perforated or mesh construction.

After the sets of strands 58 and 59 have had imparted thereto kineticenergy and thus provided with a predetermined linear velocity,aerodynamic diversion means, in this instance fluid nozzle means 100,101 and 102,

102 for the sets or groups 58 and 59, respectively, distribute thestrands across the width of the collecting surface.

in addition to aerodynamic diversion with sufficient linear velocity toaccurately deposit and distribute one or a plurality of strands it hasbeen discovered that another important function may be provided by thefluid nozzles by the proper control, placement and use thereof. That is,the aerodynamic diverting means can be used to also disperse thefilaments. A jet or fluid stream may be used to flatten the strand froma generally cylindrical cross-section to a substantially flat or ribboncross-section configuration. This flattening, while not effecting thelinear velocity of the strand required for accurate deposition, iseffective to weaken the bond holding the filaments in the cylindricalstrand form. Thus, fluid stream impingement at the time of distributionaids subsequent dispersal treatments and the filaments are more easilydispersable under the influence of the liquid dispersing agent or binderbecause the bonding forces holding the filaments in the normallycylindrical strand configuration have been weakened. If the proper sizeor lubricant is applied to the filaments as they are being attenuatedand combined into a strand, which size does not have strong bondingability, then sufficient filament dispersal may possibly be effected bythe jet or fluid stream or streams from the aerodynamic diverting meansimpinging upon the strand for use in certain products without furtheroperations. However, since most applications require a greater dispersalthan that effected by the aerodynamic diverting means, subsequentfilament dispersal steps may be employed as described hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 2, a fluid supply line 16 is shown connected toopposing nozzle means 100, 101 via control valves 17 and 18. The controlvalves 17 and 18 may be regulated manually or, as shown, an automaticcontrol means 19 may be used to effect electrical regulation of thevalves to deliver a fluid stream from the nozzles 101), 101 to mosteffectively impinge the strands and disperse the filaments to thedegreedesired. In addition, the control valves 17 and 18 and the control means13 may be utilized to modulate the flow of fluid from the nozzles 100,101-to effect a sweeping distribution of the strands across thecollecting surface below. Nozzles 102, 103 may be similarly controlled.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated apparatus for performingsubsequent filament dispersal steps in the novel method disclosedherein. At a first liquid impingement station a liquid 74 is distributedevenly across the strand mat 60 by weir means 71. A supply line 72supplies liquid to the weir means 71. Valve means 73 may be utilized tocontrol the flow of the liquid to the weir '71 and thus the amount ofliquid impinging the strands in the mat 60. The liquid 74 collects on aliquid retaining means 76 in a flooded condition as noted at to inundatethe mat 60 either at the impingement point, or at earlier or laterpoints as desired. An end plate '77 may be utilized to prevent the floodarea 75 from flowing to the left and off of the back of the liquidretaining plate 76. If the liquid retaining plate 75 is slightly tiltedand if the conveyor 61 and mat 60 speed is sufficiently fast, the endplate 77 may not be required. Side plates '78, however, are required toprevent a flow transverse to the direction of travel of the mat and thestream formed by the flooded area 75. This insures that the naturalstream formed by the flooded area 75 will proceed to the right side ofthe retaining plate 76 and pour over into catch basin 90. A sufficientflow is advantageously provided by regulating valve 73 so that theflooded area 75 will become a stream moving at substantially the samerate and in the same direction as the mat 60. This prevents any forwardor reverse disruption of uniformly distributed or oriented strands inthe mat 60.

The most effective dispersal of the filaments of the strands within themat 60 may be effected by using a second liquid impingement station 80.The second liquid impingement station 80 is spaced from the firststation 70 at a distance, depending upon the speed of the conveyor 61,adapted to provide a predetermined soaking or bond weakening interval.The second impingement station comprises a weir 81 supplied via supplyline 82, which supply is controlled by valve 83. The control valve 83 incombination with the construction of the forward lip 85 of the weir 81combine to provide a predetermined forward velocity of the impingingstream 84 with respect to the mat 60 and the flood stream 75. It isdesirable to provide the impinging stream 84 with a slightly highervelocity than that of the flood stream 75 and the mat 60, for mosteffective dispersal.

Referring to FIG. 4, it will be noted that the lip of the weir 85 may beinclined, for example, 15 from the horizontal, so that in combinationwith the fluid control by the supply valve 83 the impinging stream 84may be provided with a velocity in the direction indicated by the arrow84a. The weir means 81 is situated sufficiently close to the surface ofthe flood stream 75 and the mat 60 so that gravity will have littleeffect upon the direction of travel of stream 84. As will be noted, thedirection of travel and speed of the stream 84 may be illustrated invectorial form by vectors 84b and 84c. It will be noted that thehorizontal vector 84b is substantially greater than the downwardvertical vector 840, thus insuring that the stream 84 will properlyimpinge the mat 60 and flooded area 75 to most effectively disperse thefilaments from the strands within mat 60.

After dispersement, the excess liquid may be removed from the mat by twomeans. First, the liquid is allowed to drain through the foraminousconveyor 61 into the catch basin 90 and is noted by streams-91, whichinclude both flow-through from the mat 60 and a portion of the floodstream 75. By allowing the excess liquid to drain vertically, the liquidwill proceed toward holes or interstices still left in the mat 60 thuscarrying dispersed filaments in such hole-seeking flow. This furtherdisperses the filaments and insures even smaller interstices and moreuniformity in the mat 60. The liquid material 91 from the catch basin 90may be removed via conduit 92 and pump 93. The conduit 92 and pump 93may, if desired, be connected to recirculate the liquid into supplyconduits 72, 82. In a second liquid removal step, a suction chamber 110having a suction opening 1 l 1 connected to a suitable air exhaustsystem (not shown) may be situated beneath the foraminous conveyor 61.As will be noted by the direction of the arrows showing the verticallydownward air flow, the filaments are held in their dispersed positionwhile further excess liquid is removed from the mat.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a front view of the weirapparatus shown in FIG. 4, which apparatus may also be used for the weirat station 70. The wier means 81 of FIG. 5 is connected with a supplyconduit 82 which supplies the liquid along the bottom 87 of the weirmeans 81. A plurality of parallel vanes or baffles 86 have been placedwithin the weir means 81 to insure that very little side to side flowwith respect to the travel of the mat issues from the lip 85 of the weir81 to disrupt the uniform distribution of the strands. Baffle or vanemeans 86 are spaced from the bottom so that liquid may be supplied tothe entire weir means by a single supply pipe 82. Thus a curtain orsheet of impinging liquid may be supplied at either station 80 or atstation to the mat 60 and the strand therein for filament dispersal.

It should be noted that the liquid for dispersement of filaments atstations 70 and may be simply water. It has been noted hereinbefore, ofcourse, that the impinging fluid stream from the nozzles 100, 101, 102and 103 may be gaseous or liquid. At the stations 70 and 80, however,water may be used. It has been noted that with some lubricants which areused to provide interfiber mobility that the water may be made alkalineto aid dispersal. The addition of a small amount of, for example,ammonium case-inate will change the pH value of the water surroundingthe strands from acid to alkaline.

In addition to the use of plain water, or the alkaline water, it isdesirable to reopen the strands or to disperse the filaments by using aliquid which is a solution containing the binder that will eventually beused to integrate the mat. That is, a number of aqueous solutions may beutilized which carry a binder which will be deposited upon the filamentsand strands and, after heat or other treatment, will bind the filamentsand strands together and integrate the mat. Other forms of binders notin aqueous solutions may, of course, also be used if there is sufficientliquidity to provide a flooded area around the mat and the strandstherein to produce the dispersing effect from the soaking and/orimpinging as described hereinbefore.

There has thus been described and disclosed herein novel method andmeans for dispersal of filaments from strands and the making of matproducts therefrom. Possible modifications and substitutions of elementsof the apparatus and method of this invention will occur to thoseskilled in the art, and such obvious changes are considered within thespirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A method for the production of a mat-like collection of filamentswherein the orientation of the filaments is controlled comprising thesteps of a. providing multi-filament strands in an unwoven mat-like formon a moving surface,

b. flooding said mat-like collection on said moving surface with aliquid to overcome forces holding filaments together in a strand,

c. creating stre'am flow of said liquid through said flooded area in thesame direction with and at substantially the same rate as said mat-likecollection is moving through said flooded area to avoid disorientationof said strands from their positions in said mat-like collection on saidsurface,

(1. retaining said mat-like collection in said flooded condition for aninterval until filaments of the strands are dispersed within the generalorientation of said strands on said surface, and

e. removing excess liquid from the mat-like collection after saidfilaments are dispersed to provide a mat-like collection of orientedfilaments on said surface.

LA method as defined in claim I in which said excess liquid removal stepincludes draining said excess liquid through said mat-like collection tocause said dispersed filaments to be carried in a hole-seeking flow ofsaid draining liquid through said mat-like collection to remove voids insaid mat-like collection.

3. A method as defined in claim 1 in which said stream flow creatingstep includes adding liquid across an initial portion of said floodedarea to replace the liquid carried out of said flooded area by saidmat-like collection.

4. A method for the production of a mat-like collection of individualglass fibers wherein the orientation of the fibers within the collectionis controlled, comprising the steps of a. depositing multi-filamentstrands of glass fibers on a collection surface in a mat-lil e form,

b. flooding said mat-like form on said collection surface with a liquidwithout disturbing the general orientation of the glass fiber strands inthe mat-like form.

c. retaining said mat-like form in said flooded condition for aninterval until fibers of the strands are dispersed from each otherwithin the general orientation of the strands in the mat-like form, and

d. removing excess liquid from the mat-like form after said fibers aredispersed by draining said liquid through said mat-like form and saidcollection surface to cause individual fibers to be carried in ahole-seeking flow of said draining liquid through said mat-like form toremove voids in said mat-like form.

5. Apparatus for the production of a mat-like collection of individualglass fibers wherein the orientation of the fibers within thecollection'is controlled, comprising a. an element having a foraminouscollection surface,

b. means providing multi-filament strands of glass fibers'in an unwovenmat-like form on said collection surface,

0. means for flooding said mat-like form on said collection surface witha liquid without disturbing the orientation of the glass fiber strandsin the mat-like form and for retaining said mat-like form in saidflooded condition until fibers of the strands are dispersed from eachother within the general orientation of the strands in the mat-like formincluding means for moving said element having a foraminous collectionsurface into and out of a flooding area, and

d. means for removing excess liquid from the matlike form after saidfibers are dispersed by draining said liquid through said mat-like formand said foraminous collection surface causing individual fibers to becarried in a hole-seeking flow of said draining liquid to remove voidsin said mat-like form.

6. A method for the production of fibrous strand mats comprising thesteps of a. collecting multifilament strands in an unwoven mat-like formon a surface,

b. flooding said mat-like collection on said surface with a liquid toovercome forces holding filaments together in a strand, said floodingincluding conveying said mat-like collection on said surface through anarea flooded with said liquid,

c. flowing said liquid through said flooded area in the same directionwith and at substantially the same rate as said mat-like collection isconveyed through said flooded area to avoid disorientation of saidstrands from the positions in said mat-like collection,

d. retaining said mat-like collection in said flooded condition for aninterval until filaments of the strands are dispersed within the generalorientation of said strands on said surface,

. adding an impingement of liquid to said flowing liquid and floodedmat-like collection after said collection has traveled a distancethrough said flooded area, said liquid impingement being distributedevenly across said advancing mat-like collection and having a relativelydifferent velocity than said mat-like collection and the accompanyingflowing liquid to further disperse said filaments, and

. removing excess liquid from the mat-like collection after saidfilaments are dispersed to hold said filaments in their dispersedpositions in the mat-like collection on said surface.

7. A method as defined in claim 6 in which said impingement liquidadding step includes providing said impingement of liquid with arelatively higher velocity than said flooding liquid, the velocityhaving a greater vector substantially parallel to the direction of flowof said flooding liquid.

8. Apparatus for the production of glass fiber strand mats havingfilaments of said strands dispersed comprising a. an element having astrand receiving surface,

b. means providing multi-filament glass fiber strands in an unwovenmat-like form on said surface,

c. means for flooding said mat-like form on said surface with a liquidto overcome forces holding filaments together in strand form,

d. means for maintaining said mat-like form in said flooded conditionfor an interval,

e. means for adding additional liquid to impinge upon said floodedstrands to further disperse said filaments, and

f. means for draining excess liquid through said matlike form and saidsurface after dispersal of said filaments to cause dispersed filamentsto be carried in a hole-seeking flow of said liquid draining throughsaid mat-like form to remove voids in said mat-like form.

9. Apparatus for the production of glass fiber strands mats havingfilaments on said strands dispersed comprising a. an element having astrand receiving surface,

b. means providing multi-filament glass fiber strands inan unwovenmat-like form on said surface,

c. means for flooding said mat-like form on said surface with a liquidto overcome forces holding filaments together in strand form includingmeans for moving said mat-like form and said element through saidliquid,

d. means for maintaining said mat-like form in said flooded conditionfor an interval,

e. means for adding liquid to said flooded mat-like form to create astream flow ,of said liquid in the same direction and at substantiallythe same rate of movement as said conveyed mat-like form, and

f. means for draining excess liquid through said matlike form and saidsurface after dispersal of said filaments to cause dispersed filamentsto be carried in a hole-seeking flow of said liquid draining throughsaid mat-like form to remove voids in said mat-like form.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which said liquid adding meansincludes weir means located above said mat-like form to distribute saidliquid evenly across said mat-like form as it is conveyed beneath saidweir means.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 which further includes means foradding additional liquid to said flooded mat-like form at a spaceddistance from said first-mentioned liquid adding means to impinge uponsaid flooded strands to cause further filament dispersal.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11 in which said second-mentionedliquid adding means comprises a weir means positioned to add liquidevenly across said flooded strands as the strands are conveyed past saidsecond-mentioned liquid adding means.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12 which further includes means forcontrolling the velocity and direction of said second-mentioned liquid.

=r w: i

1. A method for the production of a mat-like collection of filamentswherein the orientation of the filaments is controlled comprising thesteps of a. providing multi-filament strands in an unwoven mat-like formon a moving surface, b. flooding said mat-like collection on said movingsUrface with a liquid to overcome forces holding filaments together in astrand, c. creating stream flow of said liquid through said flooded areain the same direction with and at substantially the same rate as saidmat-like collection is moving through said flooded area to avoiddisorientation of said strands from their positions in said mat-likecollection on said surface, d. retaining said mat-like collection insaid flooded condition for an interval until filaments of the strandsare dispersed within the general orientation of said strands on saidsurface, and e. removing excess liquid from the mat-like collectionafter said filaments are dispersed to provide a mat-like collection oforiented filaments on said surface.
 2. A method as defined in claim 1 inwhich said excess liquid removal step includes draining said excessliquid through said mat-like collection to cause said dispersedfilaments to be carried in a hole-seeking flow of said draining liquidthrough said mat-like collection to remove voids in said mat-likecollection.
 3. A method as defined in claim 1 in which said stream flowcreating step includes adding liquid across an initial portion of saidflooded area to replace the liquid carried out of said flooded area bysaid mat-like collection.
 4. A method for the production of a mat-likecollection of individual glass fibers wherein the orientation of thefibers within the collection is controlled, comprising the steps of a.depositing multi-filament strands of glass fibers on a collectionsurface in a mat-like form, b. flooding said mat-like form on saidcollection surface with a liquid without disturbing the generalorientation of the glass fiber strands in the mat-like form. c.retaining said mat-like form in said flooded condition for an intervaluntil fibers of the strands are dispersed from each other within thegeneral orientation of the strands in the mat-like form, and d. removingexcess liquid from the mat-like form after said fibers are dispersed bydraining said liquid through said mat-like form and said collectionsurface to cause individual fibers to be carried in a hole-seeking flowof said draining liquid through said mat-like form to remove voids insaid mat-like form.
 5. Apparatus for the production of a mat-likecollection of individual glass fibers wherein the orientation of thefibers within the collection is controlled, comprising a. an elementhaving a foraminous collection surface, b. means providingmulti-filament strands of glass fibers in an unwoven mat-like form onsaid collection surface, c. means for flooding said mat-like form onsaid collection surface with a liquid without disturbing the orientationof the glass fiber strands in the mat-like form and for retaining saidmat-like form in said flooded condition until fibers of the strands aredispersed from each other within the general orientation of the strandsin the mat-like form including means for moving said element having aforaminous collection surface into and out of a flooding area, and d.means for removing excess liquid from the mat-like form after saidfibers are dispersed by draining said liquid through said mat-like formand said foraminous collection surface causing individual fibers to becarried in a hole-seeking flow of said draining liquid to remove voidsin said mat-like form.
 6. A method for the production of fibrous strandmats comprising the steps of a. collecting multifilament strands in anunwoven mat-like form on a surface, b. flooding said mat-like collectionon said surface with a liquid to overcome forces holding filamentstogether in a strand, said flooding including conveying said mat-likecollection on said surface through an area flooded with said liquid, c.flowing said liquid through said flooded area in the same direction withand at substantially the same rate as said mat-like collection isconveyed through said flooded area to avoid disorientation of sAidstrands from the positions in said mat-like collection, d. retainingsaid mat-like collection in said flooded condition for an interval untilfilaments of the strands are dispersed within the general orientation ofsaid strands on said surface, e. adding an impingement of liquid to saidflowing liquid and flooded mat-like collection after said collection hastraveled a distance through said flooded area, said liquid impingementbeing distributed evenly across said advancing mat-like collection andhaving a relatively different velocity than said mat-like collection andthe accompanying flowing liquid to further disperse said filaments, andf. removing excess liquid from the mat-like collection after saidfilaments are dispersed to hold said filaments in their dispersedpositions in the mat-like collection on said surface.
 7. A method asdefined in claim 6 in which said impingement liquid adding step includesproviding said impingement of liquid with a relatively higher velocitythan said flooding liquid, the velocity having a greater vectorsubstantially parallel to the direction of flow of said flooding liquid.8. Apparatus for the production of glass fiber strand mats havingfilaments of said strands dispersed comprising a. an element having astrand receiving surface, b. means providing multi-filament glass fiberstrands in an unwoven mat-like form on said surface, c. means forflooding said mat-like form on said surface with a liquid to overcomeforces holding filaments together in strand form, d. means formaintaining said mat-like form in said flooded condition for aninterval, e. means for adding additional liquid to impinge upon saidflooded strands to further disperse said filaments, and f. means fordraining excess liquid through said mat-like form and said surface afterdispersal of said filaments to cause dispersed filaments to be carriedin a hole-seeking flow of said liquid draining through said mat-likeform to remove voids in said mat-like form.
 9. Apparatus for theproduction of glass fiber strands mats having filaments on said strandsdispersed comprising a. an element having a strand receiving surface, b.means providing multi-filament glass fiber strands in an unwovenmat-like form on said surface, c. means for flooding said mat-like formon said surface with a liquid to overcome forces holding filamentstogether in strand form including means for moving said mat-like formand said element through said liquid, d. means for maintaining saidmat-like form in said flooded condition for an interval, e. means foradding liquid to said flooded mat-like form to create a stream flow ofsaid liquid in the same direction and at substantially the same rate ofmovement as said conveyed mat-like form, and f. means for drainingexcess liquid through said mat-like form and said surface afterdispersal of said filaments to cause dispersed filaments to be carriedin a hole-seeking flow of said liquid draining through said mat-likeform to remove voids in said mat-like form.
 10. Apparatus as defined inclaim 9 in which said liquid adding means includes weir means locatedabove said mat-like form to distribute said liquid evenly across saidmat-like form as it is conveyed beneath said weir means.
 11. Apparatusas defined in claim 9 which further includes means for adding additionalliquid to said flooded mat-like form at a spaced distance from saidfirst-mentioned liquid adding means to impinge upon said flooded strandsto cause further filament dispersal.
 12. Apparatus as defined in claim11 in which said second-mentioned liquid adding means comprises a weirmeans positioned to add liquid evenly across said flooded strands as thestrands are conveyed past said second-mentioned liquid adding means. 13.Apparatus as defined in claim 12 which further includes means forcontrolling the velocity and direction of said second-mentioned liquid.